Reclosure carton



Oct. 17, 1944. c. 1.. GILBERT 2,350,415

RECLOSURE CARTON Filed June 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

C. L. GILBERT RECLOSURE CARTON Filed June 14', 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Oct. 17, 1944. c. L. GILBERT 2,360,415,

RECLOSURE CARTON Filed June 14, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR.

Oct. 17, 1944. c, 1.. GILBERT RECLOSURE CARTON Filed June 14, 1943 4Sheets-Sheet 4 fllnllllld 1-,',, I,

IN V EN TOR. 49? 1:. Gilbert, BY

Patented Oct. 17, 1944 RECLOSURE CARTON Clyde L. Gilbert, Elkhart, Ind.,assignor to American Coating Mills, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporationof Indiana Application June 14, 1943, Serial No. 490,741

Claims.

This invention relates to cartons for containing various substances, andhas to do more particularly with cartons of the reclosure type, that is,provided with means for effectively closing the carton after the samehas been opened and a part of the contents thereof has been dispensed.

Reclosure cartons are known and are used for packaging varioussubstances for domestic use, such as soap flakes, sugar, cocoa, etc. Insuch reclosure cartons as I am familiar with, the structure isunnecessarily complicated and the means for effecting reclosing of thecarton after initial opening thereof often is difficult of access, whenin its closed position, for movement to open position. My invention isdirected to a reclosure carton of comparatively simple and inexpensiveconstruction and in which the reclo sure means or member is readilyaccessible, when in closed position, for movement into open position.More specifically, I provide the outermost end closure flap, at theupper end of the carton, with a reclosure member cut therefrom andarranged with its free edge substantially coincident with the front edgeof the flap, whereby this reclosure member is readily accessible forinitial opening thereof, and form the reclosure member in two parts, onea reclosure member proper and the other a retaining tongue or flap forholding that member in closed position, there preferably being a, tabprovided to facilitate withdrawal of the flap-and opening of thereclosure member. I also provide means cooperating with the reclosuremember ina manner to assure a leak-proof closure for the carton and, incertain cases, means for latching the reclosure member in its closedposition. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appearfrom the detail description.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is an inner face view of a,blank for producinga carton embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an outer face view of the blank of Figure 1, with. the lowerportion thereof broken away; i

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, of a blank for a modified formof carton embodying my invention;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, of a blank for a second modifiedform of carton embodying my invention;

Figure 5 is'an outer face view of a blank for a third modified form ofcarton embodying my invention;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, of a blank for a fourth modifiedform of carton embodying my invention;

Figure 7 is an isometric front view of a reclosure carton embodying myinvention, produced from the blank of Figures 1 and 2, in partiallysetup condition;

Figure 8 is a plan View of the carton of Figure '7 in fully setupcondition except that the outermost top closure flap is in verticalposition;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but with the outermost topclosure flap secured in its closed position;

Figure 10 is an isometric front view of the up- I per portion of thecarton of Figure 9 with the reclosure flap in open position and theremovable panel element of the inner top flap removed;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the carton of Figure 10 with thereclosure flap in the position which it occupies after initial openingthereof followed by reclosing of the carton;

Figure 12 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line l2-I2 of Figvure 11, through the upper end portion of thecarton; l

Figure 13 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line I3-|3 of Figure 11, through the upper end portion of the carton;

Figure 14 is an isometric side view of a carton produced from the plankof Figure 3, after opening thereof and with the reclosure flap in openposition, with the lower portion of the carton broken away Figure 15 isa sectional View similar to Figure 13, on an enlarged scale, of thecarton of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a central vertical' sc'tional view, taken from front toback and on an enlarged scale, of the upper portion of a carton producedfrom the blank of Figure 4, with the reclosure flap in closed position;

Figure 17 is a-view similar to Figure 16, of a carton produced from theblank of Figure 5;

Figure 18 is a. plan view of a carton produced from the blank of Figure6, on an enlarged scale, with the reclosure flap closed;

Figure 19 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the upperportion of the carton of Figure 18, taken substantially on line [9-49 ofFigure 18, but showing the positions of the parts at the start of theoperation of closing the reclosure flap;

Figures 20 and 21 are views similarto Figure 19, showing steps in theclosing of the reclosure member; and

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 19', but with the reclosure memberin its fully closed position.

lnhproducing the cartons of my invention, I first print upon a sheet ofcardboard, boxboard or other appropriate material, at the face thereofwhich is to become the exterior surface of the respective cartons and inareas corresponding to the blanks from which the cartons are to beformed, desired matter such as the name of the product, the manufactureror seller thereof, in structions for its use, etc. I preferably usefoldable boxboard, which possesses considerable strength and resiliency,for reasons which will appear later. The printed sheet is then cut andscored or creased, by suitable dies, into blanks foldable into shape toproduce the desired cartons.

The carton of Figures 7 to 13, inclusive, is formed from the blank ofFigur 1, cut from a sheet of boxboard as above described. In describingthis blank, and other blanks to be considered later, and with a view toavoiding confusion, I shall refer to the various elements thereof withrespect to the positions which such elements normally occupy in thecompletely setup and closed carton. The blank comprises front and backpanels Ill and II, respectively, two ide panels I2, one connectingpanels I and II and the other attached to the outer edge of panel I0,front and back bottom closure flaps I3 attached to the lower ends ofpanels I0 and I I, and side bottom closure flaps I5 connected to thelower ends of side panels I2. Relatively narrow side top closure flap I6are connected to the upper ends of side panels I2, each provided a shortdistance from its front end with an arcuate recess I1 opening throughits inner edge. An inner top closure flap I6 is connected at its forwardedge to the upper end of front panel I0, along a score or creaseproviding a fold line I9, and an outer top closure flap 20 i connectedat its rearward edge to the upper end of back panel II along a fold 2|.Flap I8 is provided with a detachable closure panel 22 of substantiallyrectangular shape, defined .by cuts 23 and 23, and 24. The cuts 23 and23 are interrupted by uncut elements 25 of slight width, commonly termednicks in this art, connecting panel 22 to flap I8. The cut 23 issomewhat longer than out 23 and is connected at its ends, by short cuts26 of compound curvature, to the cuts 24, providing a closure 22 withrestricted terminals, for a purpose which will appear later. Closureflap 20 is cut to provide a reclosure flap 21, connected at its rearwardedge to flap 20 along a fold line 28 and having an extension or tuckflap 21'? connected to its opposite edge along a fold line 29interrupted by a tab 30 cut from flap 21. The feclosure flap 21 and thetuck flap 21* ar nicked at 3| to the surrounding portion of flap 20,which surrounding portion is of substantially U-shape, comprising abight portion 32 and arms 33 extending therefrom. The outer corners oftuck flap 21 and the adjacent corners of arms 33 are rounded as shown,by substantially V-shaped notches 34 cut therebetween. The reclosureflap 21 is of somewhat greater length than the rei movable panel 22,corresponding in length to cut '3 23 and fold line 29 is aligned withcut 23. Each of the flap I8 and 20 corresponds in length to the width ofthe front and the back panels I0 ;and II, which are of the same width,and in 1 length to the width of the side panels I2, which are also ofthe same width. The blank is further provided with a relatively narrowglue lap 35 connected to the outer edge of back panel II, and isappropriately creased or scored to provide fold lines between the sidepanels I2 and the connected bottom and top closure flaps I5 and I3,between the front and back panels I0 and II and the connected bottomclosure flaps I3, and between back panel I I and glue lap 35. The areaof the upper or outer face of flap I8 corresponding to the reclosure fla21 and the extension or tuck flap 21 thereof, including panel 22, isprovided with a coating 36 (Figure 2) of varnish, ink or other suitablesubstance repellent to the glue or other adhesive used for securing thetop closure flaps together. Conveniently, the coating 36 is applied whenprinting upon the sheet of boxboard preliminary to cutting it into theblanks, but this coating may be applied at any other suitable time, as aseparate operation, if desired or where conditions require it.

In constructing the carton from the blank, glue lap 35 is foldedoveronto the inner face of back panel I I, the exposed face of glue lap 35is coated with glue or other suitable adhesive, and front panel I0 andside panel I2 carr..ed thereby are folded over onto the other side panelI2 and back panel II, with the side panel I2 carried by front panel I0seating at its free edge portion upon the adhesive coated surface ofglue lap 35. The parts are then held in position, under appropriatepressure, until the adhesive has set, securing the elements of the bodyof the carton together. After that'has been done, the body of the cartonis set up on a suitable block or mandrel, with the side panelsperpendicular to the back or front panels. The upper surfaces of theside top flaps I6 are coated with glue or other suitable adhesive, asare the upper surface of the inner top flap I8 and the under surface ofthe outer top flap 20, and the flaps I6, I8 and 20 are then folded intosuperposed relation, in the order named, in which they are held underappropriate pressure, until the adhesive has set. That closes the upperend of the carton, which is then removed from the mandrel and isinverted and charged or loaded through its still open lower end, suchloading preferably being eflected by means of an automatic loadingmachine, as is known. Upon completion of the loading operation, theunderfaces of the bottom side closure flaps I5 are coated with an adhesive,as are the lower face of the bottom closure flap I3 connected to theback panel II and the upper face of the bottom closure flap I3 connectedto front panel I0, after which the flaps I5, the flap I3 connected topanel II and the flap I3 connected to panel I0, are folded intosuperposed relation in the order named, in which they are held underappropriate pressure until the adhesive has set, completing closing ofthe carton. Due to the provision of the coating 36 on the upper surfaceof top flap I8, the adhesive applied to the under surface of reclosureflap 21 and extension 21 thereof is substantially ineffective forsecuring these parts to flap I3 within the area 36 thereof. After theupper end of the carton has been closed, and the carton has been chargedand the lower end thereof has been closed, in the manner abovedescribed, the top of the carton appears as in Figure 9, with topclosure flap 20 overlying the flaps I6 and I 8 and all of the flapsadhesively secured together, but with the reclosure flap 21 and the tuckflap 21 thereof readily separable from flap I8, though weakly heldthereto by the adhesive so as to be retained in position within theplane of flap 20. In order to open the carton, the reclosure flap 21 andtuck iiap 21 are released from flaps and I8, conveniently by insertionoi a knife blade between them, from the front of the carton, thusfreeing the reclosure flap 21 and tuck flap 21 from flap I8 and, at thesame time, severing the nicks 3|. Reclosure flap 21 may then be swungupward about fold line 28 into substantially vertical position and thepanel 22 may be removed, by subjecting it to downward and inwardpressure, leavin opening 22 through flap 18, located between the sidetop flaps [6, for discharge of the contents of the carton; as shown inFigure 10.

In order to reclose the carton, tuck flap 21 is bent downward along foldline 29, into position substantially perpendicular to reclosure flap 21,tuck flap 21 then being disposed for insertion through opening 22 at thefront thereof. When the panel 22 is removed, the opening 22 comprisestwo forwardly converging slot-like extensions 21: disposed at theforward corners of opening 22. When the reclosure flap 21 is closed,tuck flap 21 extends, at its end portions, through the slot elements 26so as to fit snugly therein and be held frictionally in position,holding the reclosure flap 21-closed. The arcuate recesses 11 in theside top flaps l6 are disposed to accommodate the end portions of tuckflap 21, as will be clear from Figures 8, 12 and 13. The positions ofthe reclosure flap 21 and associated parts,

after reclosing of the carton, are shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13. Afterthe tuck flap 21 has been bent into position perpendicular to reclosureflap 21, the tab projects from the forward edge of reclosure fiap 21 andprovides the means for withdrawing tuck flap 21 from its insertedposition shown in Figures 12 and 13, for the purpose of swingingreclosure flap 21 to its raised or open position and again uncoveringthe opening 2'2 for discharge of the contents of the carton, as desired.

The material from which the carton is formed possesses considerableresiliency, such that the tuck flap 21 is yieldingly urged toward itsoriginal position in alignment with the reclosure flap 21. Accordingly,in the closed position of the reclosure flap 21, the tuck flap 21* isheld in close contact with the adjacent edge of cover flap 18, formingtherewith a closure effective to prevent escape of the contents of thecarton, the end portions of the reclosure flap 21 seating upon theunderlying areas of flap i8 forming, in conjunction with the arms 33of'fiap 20, between which arms the reclosure flap 21 fits snugly,closures at the ends of the reclosure flap effectively sealed againstescape of the contents of the carton. The end portions of the tuck flap21 fit in the tapering extensions 26 of opening 22' sufficiently tightlyto provide friction lock means for holding the reclosure flap 21 closedagainst casual displacement. In that manner, the reclosure flap 21 andthe tuck flap 21 cooperate with the flaps I8 and 20 and associated partsfor effectively securing the reclosure flap in its closed position andin a manner to prevent escape of the contents of the carton, whilepermitting opening of the reclosure flap with expedition and facility.

The carton of Figures 14 and 15 is produced from the blank of Figure 3.This blank is similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, except that the panel22 is connected at its forward edge to flap 18 along a fold line 23 Theblank of Figure 3 is secured together and set up and closed at its upperend, and is then charged and closed at its lower end, as before. Inopening the carton, reclosure flap 21 and tuck flap 21' are separatedfrom flap l8 and swung upward, and panel 22 is then forced downward,breaking the nicks 2!, assuming substantially its position shown inFigure 14, in which it is hinged at its upper edge to flap il at thefront of opening 22', and extends therefrom downward and inward of thecarton. In reclosing the carton, the tuck nap 21, disposed substantiallyperpendicular to flap 21, is inserted through the front of opening 22.As it is inserted downward through opening 22, tuck flap 21 displacespanel 22 toward the front of the carton. In the fully closed position ofreclosure flap 21, shown in Figure 15, the opposed faces of tuck flap 21and of panel 22 are held tightly together, by the inherent resiliency ofthe material from which the carton is formed, which urges tuck flap 21toward the front of the carton and panel.22 toward the rear of thecarton. That provides a tight closure effective for preventing leakageof the carton contents between the forward edge of reclosure flap 21 andflap l8. Also, the pressure contact between tuck flap 21 and panel 22provides friction means, supplementing the friction contact between tuckflap 21 and flap 18 for holding reclosure flap 21 closed. The carton ofFigures 14 and 15 is otherwise similar to the carton of Figures '1 to13, inclusive, and need not be further described here.

The carton of Figure 16 is produced from the blank of Figure 4. Thisblank is generally similar to that of Figure 3. The panel 22 is ofincreased width and is divided by a cut 23*, interrupted by nicks 25,into a relative ide main section 22 and a relatively narrow sub-section22, connected to panel I8 along a fold line 23. Reclosure flap 2'1corresponds in width to panel 22, and tuck flap 21 corresponds in widthto sub-section 22 of panel 22. In opening this carton, portion 22 ofpanel 22 is completely removed, leaving portion 22 hinged to flap I8When the carton is reclosed, the panel section 22 is held in closecontact with tuck flap 21, as in Figure 16. It will be noted that flapsection 22 extends-downward into the carton a considerably less distancethan the panel 22 of Figure 15. The carton of Figure 16 is particularlysuitable for large sizes, and for packaging chemicals or othersubstances which might be adversely affected by the adhesive-repellentcoating on the removable panel, or where it is desired to have a Wideopening for removal of the contents of the carton. The construction ofthe carton of Figure 16 is otherwise similar' to that of Figure 15, andneed not be further described here.

The carton of Figure 17 is produced from the blank of Figure 5. Thisblank is generally similar to the blank of Figures 1 and 2, but differstherefrom in certain respects. Panel 22 of flap l8, connected thereto atits front edge along fold line 23 is cut straight at each side and isrounded at its rear corners, as shown. Tuck flap 21 of reclosure flap21, connected to flap '20 along fold line 28*, has each end rounded forcorresponds to the distance between the inner edges of flaps Iii in thesetup carton, are not notched out from their inner edges. When thecarton has been opened and reclosed, tuck flap 21 is held closed byfriction contact with the edges of flaps l6 and 18 and is also held inclose contact with panel 22', in the same manner as tuck flap 21- isheld in contact with panel ll of the carton of Figure 15, and for thesame purpose. The carton of Figure 17 is otherwise similar to that ofFigure and requires no further description.

The carton of Figures 18 to 22, inclusive, is produced from the blank ofFigure 6. This blank is similar to that of Figure 5, except that panel22 is cut at its forward edge to provide a latching tab 38 connected toflap l8 along a portion of the fold line 23 and rounded at its rearwardcorners, and tuck flap 21 is cut to provide a square cornered thumb tabconnected to reclosure flap 2'1 along a portion of the fold line 29, andan opposed latch tongue 39 carried by tuck flap 21 The blank of Figure 6is set up and secured together to produce the carton, which is thenloaded and closed in the manner previously explained. When the cartonhas been opened and reclosed, it appears in top view as in Figure 18,

In the reclosing operation, tuck flap 21 bends latching tab 38 downward,as in Figure 19. That deflects tuck flap 2'! downward and inward of thecarton so that it passes off of tab 38, which is returned by theinherent resiliency of the material of the carton to its normalhorizontal position of Figure 20, and the tuck flap 2'! moves downwardat an inclination in contact with the rear edge of tab 38 as the closingoperation continues, as shown in this figure. As downward movement oftuck flap 2'! continues, the distance between latching tab 38 andreclosure flap 2! decreases, with increasing resistance by tuck flap 27to rearward displacement thereof. When latching tab 38 contacts latchtongue 39, the latter is bent slightly rearward relative to tuck flap 21and latching tab 38 is bent slightly downward, the parts then being intheir positions shown in Figure 21. In the final stage of the reclosingoperation, the reclosure flap should be moved downward by pressureexerted at the area indicated by the circle 40 of Figure 18. That moveslatch tongue 39 into position to release latching tab 38, which thensnaps upward through the opening 30* provided by cutting of the thumbtab 30*, and at the same time latch tongue 39 snaps forward into itsnormal position in the plane of tuck flap 21 the latter swinging forwardinto pressure contact with panel 22*. The final closing is evidenced bya clearly audible click, as the parts snap into position.

When the reclosure flap 21 is in its full closed position, the partsoccupy their positions shown in Figure 22. The latching tab 38 is thenin contact with the under face of reclosure flap 2'! and thumbtab 30 isin contact with the upper face of flap IB providing a tight closureadjacent the opening 30 effectively preventing leakage of the contentsof the carton at that area. The contacting tuck flap 2? and panel 22further contribute to prevention of leakage at the front edge ofreclosure flap 2'! and also assist in frictionally holding this flapclosed. The latch means reduces likelihood of the reclosure flap 21'opening to an appreciable extent, thereby guarding against spillage ofthe contents of the carton if it is inverted or dropped. In order toreopen the carton, the reclosure flap is swung upward into its openposition, by grasping the thumb tab 30, in an obvious manner.

Inthe cartons of Figures 7 to 16, inclusive, when the reclosure flap isin closed position, the

thumb tab 30 seats upon the upper face of the closure flap attached tothe front panel, providing therewith a seal effective for preventingleakage of the contents of the carton through the opening in the tuckflap provided by cutting therefrom of the thumb tab.

The blanks of Figures 5 and 6, from which the cartons of Figure 16 andof Figures 17 to 22, inclusive, are produced, are not notched out at 34,as are the blanks of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, as previously noted.That is advantageous in that the blanks of Figures 5 and 6 may be cutstraight across end to end, saving waste, which is an importantconsideration in this art. In Figure 6 I have shown the thumb tab 30 asconnected to reclosure flap 2! along a portion of the fold line 29 andthe latching tab 38 as connected to flap [8 along a portion of fold line23 That is not essential to my invention, however, and the fold lines atthose areas may be omitted if desired.

It will be understood, as above indicated, that changes in details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resortedto, without departing from the field and scope thereof, and I intend toinclude all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of myinvention have been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a reclosure carton of the character de-. scribed, a body closed atone end by a plurality of fiaps secured together in superposed relationcomprising an inner flap and an outer flap, said inner flap having anopening therethrough into of flaps secured together in superposedrelation comprising an inner flap, said inner flap having asubstantially rectangular opening therethrough intothe body and a panelhinged thereto at one edge of said opening yieldingly urged toward thelatter and of materially less width than said opening, said outer flapcomprising a reclosure flap hinged at one edge thereto and a tuck flapof materially less width than said opening hinged to said reclosure flapat tne opposite edge thereof insertible through said opening at said oneedge thereof and yieldingly urged toward said panel.

3. In a reclosure carton of the character described, a body closed atone end by a plurality of flaps secured together in superposed relationcomprising an inner flap and an outer flap, said inner flap having anopening therethrough into the body and a latchingtab extending therefrominto said opening from one edge thereof, said outer flap comprising areclosure flap hinged at one edge thereto and a tuck flap hinged to theopposite edge of said reclosure flap, the latter flap being disposedsubstantially in the plane of said outer flap and overlying and closingsaid opening and extending beyond the ends thereof in overlying relationto said inner flap with said tuck flap inserted through said opening atsaid one edge thereof when said reclosure flap is in reclosed position,said tuck flap comprising a latch tongue cooperating with said tab forre- 2,360,415 straining said tuck flap against. withdrawalthrough saidopening,

4. In a reclosure carton of the character described, a body closed atone end by a plurality of flaps secured together in superposed relationcomprising an inner flap and an outer flap, said inner flap having anopening therethrough into the body and a latching tab extendingtherefrom into said opening from one edge thereof, said outer flapcomprising a reclosure flap hinged at one edge thereto and a tuck flaphinged to the opposite edge of said reclosure flap and insertiblethrough said opening at said one edge thereof, said tuck flap being outto provide a thumb tab extending from said opposite edge of saidreclosure flap and a latch tongue carried by said tuck flap and spacedfrom said reclosure flap by the opening from which said thumb tab wasout, said latch tongue cooperating with said latching tab forrestraining said tuck flap against withdrawal through said opening.

5. In a reclosure carton of the character described, a body closed atone end by a plurality of flaps secured together in superposed relationcomprising an inner flap and an outer flap, said inner flap having anopening therethrough into the body and being provided with a panelhinged thereto at one edge of said opening and a latching tab cut fromsaid panel and extending inward of said opening at said one edgethereof, said outer flap comprising a reclosure flap hinged at one edgethereto and a tuck flap hinged to the opposite edge of said reclosureflap, said tuck flap being cut to provide a thumb tab extending fromsaid opposite edge of said reclosure flap and a latch tongue carried bysaid tuck flap and spaced from said reclosure flap by the opening fromwhich said thumb tab was out, said latch tongue cooperating with saidlatching tab for restraining said tuck flap against withdrawal throughsaid opening, said tuck flap and said t panel being yieldingly urged inopposite directions and held in pressure contact when said tuck.

flap is inserted through said opening with said reclosure flap in closedposition. v a

CLYDE L. GILBERT.

